International Telecommunication Union

Since 2006, the ITU’s special assistance programme to least developed countries (LDCs) was expanded to include SIDS and emergency telecommunications, in order to reflect its firm commitment in support of the special needs of these countries, and in assisting with the implementation and fulfilment of the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius Strategy, within its area of expertise.

The Programme for Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and Emergency Telecommunications is a highly focused initiative of ITU that is administered by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). Its primary objective is to bridge the digital divide between the rest of the world and the SIDS. The programme focuses on reforming the telecommunication sector of these countries so as to introduce new structures, which are more conducive to faster and sustained telecommunication development, with well-managed and modern networks. It also seeks to increase the penetration of telecommunication services so as to achieve universal access to those services.